Gina Melby was appointed CEO of Alan B. Miller Medical Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., in April, one year before the 156-bed acute care facility is scheduled to open.
The hospital, part of King of Prussia, Pa.-based Universal Health Services, is set to open its doors in 2026. In preparation, Ms. Melby told Becker’s she is focused on building a strong leadership team and conducting thorough facility assessments to ensure all systems are functional and ready for patient care.
“Building relationships with local stakeholders, including providers, community leaders and residents is absolutely critical for what we do in the future,” she said.
As part of the hospital’s launch strategy, leadership is conducting market analyses to identify the most needed services in the community. Ms. Melby emphasized the importance of understanding local demand to guide service offerings effectively. The new medical center will provide care in orthopedic and general surgery, emergency medicine, cardiology, oncology and neurology.
To enhance care delivery, Ms. Melby is prioritizing technology integration aimed at improving patient outcomes and streamlining operations.
“Most critical is going to be our staff training, ensuring that all staff are prepared to deliver high-quality care and making sure we have the right culture of people that are going to be very patient-centered,” she said.
Ms. Melby envisions the hospital as a community-focused institution, committed to expanding access to diverse healthcare services. She aims to engage in outreach programs to educate residents on health-related issues and preventive care.
“I can’t stress enough the importance of being patient-centered, focusing on personalized care plans, and addressing the unique needs of each patient as they enter the healthcare system,” she said.
Two of Ms. Melby’s primary concerns for the future of healthcare delivery are staff shortages and regulatory changes. However, she remains optimistic about tackling workforce gaps by partnering with educational institutions to create a robust pipeline of healthcare professionals.
She also highlighted technology adoption as a major advantage for future care delivery.
“Embracing technologies is an optimistic view, as far as what’s available with AI in the patient care arena,” she said. “We look at preventative care, increasing focus on prevention and wellness programs, and also collaboration, enhancing care delivery through an integrated and collaborative care model.”
Workforce development and retention
Offering competitive compensation packages is a key pillar of Miller Medical Center’s strategy to attract top talent. The hospital also plans to offer ongoing training and development opportunities to ensure staff growth and long-term retention. Ms. Melby underscored the significance of well-being in maintaining workforce satisfaction.
“Work-life balance is extremely important to everyone, so we’ll implement programs to support physical and mental wellbeing of employees,” she said. “Understanding their needs is crucial for them to be happy in their work setting and when they’re at home.”
For Ms. Melby, establishing a strong organizational culture is a top priority. She emphasized the need for physician engagement and collaborative relationships as foundational to the hospital’s success.
“Having strong physician participation and strong relationships are critical to building an organization from the foundation up,” Ms. Melby said. “It’s very exciting to be part of something like that and to have the community involved. With a great foundation and a great culture, we’ll be able to deliver.”
